Man jailed after violent attack in Basingstoke street

A MAN suffered a broken jaw and lost teeth after he was punched in a Basingstoke street.

Vincent Goodall was punched once in the face by Kevin Cassell in an “unprovoked attack” in Blackdown Close, Buckskin.

Mr Goodall needed to have a metal plate inserted in his jaw and a brace fitted for the bone to heal, Winchester Crown Court heard.

Cassell, 21, appeared in the dock having admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on the first day of an intended trial.

The court heard that at around 11pm on November 5 last year, Mr Goodall had approached Cassell to ask him for a lighter for a cigarette.

Adam Feest, prosecuting, said: “There was a short conversation, which was captured on CCTV, and the victim walked off.

“The defendant then pursued him off camera and punched him once to the head in an unprovoked way, having made some comment about the victim’s brother, before the defendant left.”

The court heard Cassell, of Newbury Street, Kintbury, Berkshire, was in danger of losing his council accommodation if he went to prison.

Adrian Fleming, defending, said it was difficult to say what it was that caused the dispute.

He added: “I have to accept this was a nasty offence, and it had serious consequences for the victim. However, it was an isolated incident in this young man’s life and there’s no indication that he is regularly on the streets causing trouble.”

Judge Susan Evans said that while it was not the most serious GBH offence, she said she could see “no good reason” for suspending a prison sentence.

She sentenced Cassell to 13 months imprisonment with a £100 victim surcharge. Cassell was told he would serve half of the sentence in custody and half on licence.